TDA - FND - Senior Nutrition Specialist (56833)

Senior Nutrition Specialist

• Salary Information:       B22, $6,800 - $7,300.00/MO.
• State Classification:     Dietetic Nutrition Specialist III - 4018
• FLSA Status:                 Exempt
• Posting Number:          26-56833-1
• Location:                       Austin, TX

Telework Option:         TDA does not offer telework, and all employees are required to be physically present for work. 

How To Apply

Apply online via CAPPS. Applicants applying in WIT must complete the supplemental questions to be considered for the position. To complete the supplemental questions, go to CAPPS Recruit. 

Who Are We

The Texas Department of Agriculture's (TDA) Food and Nutrition Division administers 12 federal child and special nutrition and more than $2.5 billion in federal money annually used to fund the programs for the State of Texas. These programs aim to reduce hunger, encourage strong nutrition, and support local economies across Texas.

What You’Ll Do

Work in a fast paced, multi-faceted environment to improve nutrition outcomes in programs administered by the Texas Department of Agriculture’s (TDA) Food and Nutrition (F&N) Division. Work includes performing regulatory support and project management for assigned programs. Review and coordinate day to day tasks for an assigned team. Work under minimal supervision with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Primary Responsibilities

Develop the nutrition team’s strategic plan to include short and long-term goals and identify priority projects and opportunities for improvement. 

Manage and delegate activities to Nutrition staff to ensure assignments are being completed accurately, completely, and in accordance with division priorities. Provide input on staff performance and coach team members as needed. 

Manage and track the budget for F&N Nutrition. 

Support the analysis, implementation, and oversight of updates to nutrition regulations, including creation of nutrition waiver requirements, review of internal materials, and collaboration with key stakeholders to ensure compliance with state and federal laws, regulations, and/or requirements.

Oversee the development and implementation of contracts and/or grants. Includes identifying needs, describing services to be rendered, evaluate bids, approve invoices, maintain contract documentation, ensure vendors are accountable for delivering services, and escalate performance concerns. 

Manage assigned projects, including identifying required resources and ensure project schedules are completed within agreed-upon time frames.

Communicate appropriate nutrition unit updates to internal and external stakeholders. Develop nutrition reports, outreach materials, and relevant program and nutrition updates; present to stakeholders as needed. 

Provide guidance, research, complex technical assistance and/or direction related to F&N Programs and related nutrition guidance.

Stay abreast of nutritional trends and inform F&N management of impacts to F&N goals. 

Create and implement evaluation methods and metrics related to assigned work. 

Follow all TDA policies and procedures.

Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POSITION (The application must state how each of the following qualifications are met - resumes do not take the place of the required state of Texas application which must be completed in CAPPS or WIT.)

Bachelor’s degree (one year of work experience related to the essential duties may substitute for one year of college).

Four (4) years’ work experience with regulatory nutrition programs.

Experience leading projects and/or developing and creating program goals and objectives.

Experience administering grants, contracts, and/or managing budgets.

Experience in presenting complex material to a diverse audience.

Experience coordinating the workflow of others.

Registered Dietitian Certification.

Valid Texas driver’s license and an acceptable driving record.

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s degree, with major coursework in institutional management, nutrition, dietetics, public health or a related field.

Five (5) years’ work experience with regulatory nutrition programs.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Knowledge of food and nutrition programs; of grant processes; of local, state, and federal laws related to the program area; of public administration and management techniques; of budget processes; of research techniques; and of program management processes and techniques. 

Skill in providing customer service excellence to both internal and external customers; in identifying measures or indicators of program performance; in managing multiple projects; and in the use of a computer and applicable software.

Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts; to devise solutions to problems; to prepare reports; to develop, evaluate, and interpret policies and procedures; to communicate effectively, orally and in writing; to provide guidance to others; to exercise sound judgment and discretion; and to maintain the highest level of confidentiality.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

Normal office work environment and may have exposure to dust and environmental allergens consistent with normal business activities and human contact. Mostly sedentary in nature but may involve walking; standing; pulling and pushing; kneeling, stooping and bending; performing tasks requiring fine motor skills and coordination; and safely lifting and carrying items weighing up to 30 pounds. Must be able work extended periods at a computer and may require working extended hours and some evenings and weekends, as needed. May involve travel (up to 25%), occasionally overnight.

Telework & Work Hours

The agency does not offer telework. TDA employees are required to be physically present for work.

The agency’s core business hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. TDA also provides limited customer service between 6:00-8:00 a.m. and 5:00-6:00 p.m.

H-1b Visa Sponsorship

We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa.

B Benefits

The State of Texas offers a variety of benefits for you and your family that are comprehensive and, on average, make up about one-third of total compensation. Benefits include:

ü     Retirement Plan

ü     Paid Group Health & Life Insurance for employees

ü     Paid Holidays

ü     Paid Vacation Leave

ü     Paid Sick Leave

ü     Longevity Pay

ü     Dental

ü     Vision

ü     Dependent Optional Life Insurance

ü     Voluntary AD&D Insurance

ü     Dependent Health & Life Insurance

ü     Health & Dependent care flexible spending accounts

Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. A skills exercise may be conducted at the time of the interview.

Due to the high volume of applications, we do not accept telephone calls.  If you submitted your application through the CAPPS Career Center, you may also check the status of your application by accessing your profile and selecting My Jobpage and selecting My Submissions.

*A valid government-issued driver’s license, which is recognized by the Texas Department of Public Safety and in good standing, and an acceptable driving record are required. TDA will verify this information with the Texas Department of Public Safety. Applicants with a driver’s license not issued by the State of Texas should obtain and be prepared to provide a copy of their current driving record on or before their first day

Background Checks: A criminal conviction records check is required for applicants who are selected for a position.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO): TDA is an equal employment opportunity (EEO) employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, military status, or protected activity.

Reasonable Accommodations: If you are scheduled for an interview and require any reasonable accommodation in our interview process, please inform the hiring representative who calls you to schedule your interview or an HR representative at 512-463-7423.  Whenever possible, please give the hiring or HR representative sufficient time to consider and respond to your request.

TDA participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security, with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.

Military and Former Foster Child Employment Preference: TDA complies with the provisions of the veterans and former foster child employment preference acts. Please contact our Human Resources-Veterans Liaison at (512) 463-7454 for assistance.

Go to https://texasskillstowork.com/, https://www.onetonline.org/, or http://www.careeronestop.org/ for assistance in translating your military experience and training courses into civilian job terms, qualifications/requirements, and skill sets.

Additional Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) Code or Crosswalk information is available from the Texas State Auditor’s Office at Medical and Health MOS Codes.